How do I add extra shelves to my kitchen cabinets?

Adding extra shelves to your kitchen cabinets is a great way to maximize your storage space. Whether you need more room for dishes, spices, or small appliances, installing additional shelves can help organize your kitchen and make items more accessible. With some basic tools and materials, installing extra shelves is a relatively easy DIY project for most homeowners.

What are the benefits of adding shelves?

There are several advantages to adding shelves inside your cabinets:

• Increase storage space – Extra shelves allow you to utilize the vertical space within the cabinet.
• Organize items – Shelves let you separate and arrange things neatly.
• Accessibility – You can store frequently used items at eye-level while keeping less common items on higher shelves.
• Customization – Shelves allow you to add storage exactly where you need it.

Whether you need a spot for tall drinking glasses, cookbooks, or small kitchen appliances, additional shelves let you fully optimize your cabinet storage.

Planning your project

Before getting started, take some time to plan your project:

• Determine where you want to add shelves. Consider the cabinet’s layout and your storage needs.
• Measure the cabinet dimensions to find out what size shelves will fit.
• Choose shelf material – wood, glass, or metal. Consider weight capacity and appearance.
• Decide on shelf support style – fixed mounted on pins, adjustable shelf tracks, or shelf brackets.
• Purchase necessary hardware and materials.

Proper planning will ensure your shelves meet your functional and aesthetic needs. It will also make the installation process go smoothly.

Materials needed

Most kitchen cabinet shelf projects require minimal materials. Here is an overview of what you typically need:

Shelf

You will need to purchase or cut shelves to fit your cabinet dimensions. Common shelf materials include:

• Plywood – affordable and durable.
• Melamine-coated particleboard – moisture resistant and easy to clean.
• Solid wood – attractive and strong but more expensive.
• Glass – stylish but heavy and prone to breaking.
• Metal – strong, industrial appearance but can be noisy.

Choose a material that is affordable, fits your cabinets, and supports the necessary weight. 3/4-inch thickness provides good strength for most standard shelves.

Shelf supports

Shelf supports connect the shelf to the cabinet and bear the weight. Common support options are:

• Shelf pins – inserted into pre-drilled holes. Let you adjust shelf height.
• Shelf brackets – mounted to cabinet walls with screws. Provide fixed support.
• Shelf track – channel fastened into the cabinet that allows adjustable shelves.

Choose a support style based on your budget, cabinet configuration, and desired adjustability.

Fasteners and hardware

You may need certain hardware for installing the chosen shelf supports securely:

• Screws or bolts
• Nuts and washers
• Drill and drill bits
• Stud finder
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Level

Gather the necessary tools and hardware before starting to make the process efficient. Having proper fasteners like screws and bolts is critical for a stable, secure shelf installation.

Installing fixed mounted shelves

One common approach is installing shelving mounted directly into the cabinet walls. Here are the steps for this method:

1. Measure and mark the desired shelf height on the interior cabinet walls using a pencil and level. Consider existing shelves and vertical space.
2. Select mounting fasteners – likely screws or bolts – based on your cabinet material and shelf weight. Pilot holes may be necessary with very dense cabinet wood.
3. Drill holes into the cabinet walls at the marked shelf locations. Use a stud finder to locate any wall studs and drill into studs when possible for greater stability.
4. Insert the fasteners into the drilled holes, leaving them partially sticking out. Cabinet walls are usually 3/4″ thick, so do not sink fasteners all the way in.
5. Rest the shelf on the protruding fasteners. You may need a helper to hold it steady.
6. Slide the shelf down to lock it onto the fastener heads like a key into a keyhole.
7. Fully tighten down the fasteners using a screwdriver or wrench to secure the shelf.

This technique creates fixed shelving at your desired height that cannot be adjusted later. Make sure your measurements and pilot holes are precise.

Using shelf pins

For adjustable positioning, shelf pins inserted into pre-drilled holes offer flexibility:

1. Determine the desired shelf height range and mark holes at regular intervals on the cabinet walls. Standard spacing is between 1-3 inches between holes.
2. Drill holes perpendicular to the wall at each marked location using a drill bit slightly smaller than your pins.
3. Partially insert shelf pins into the holes with the spring-loaded collar facing cabinet interior. Insert at least 2 pins per shelf for stability.
4. Set the shelf atop the pins and adjust to desired height. Pins keep the shelf locked in place.
5. To reposition, gently lift shelf off pins, reinsert pins at new holes, and set shelf onto pins.

With this adjustable system, you can easily move shelves later or remove them as needed with minimal hardware alterations.

Installing shelf brackets

For a sturdy DIY option, shelf brackets fastened into studs provide robust support:

1. Locate wall studs at your desired shelf height using a stud finder. Mark the stud locations with pencil.
2. Line up shelf brackets at the marks and use a level to ensure they are even. Mark spots for the screw holes.
3. Pre-drill holes for the screws with a drill bit slightly smaller than screw diameter to avoid splitting wood.
4. Fasten brackets to the wall by driving screws into the pre-drilled holes using a screwdriver. Make sure screws bite into the studs for strength.
5. Measure between brackets and cut shelf material to length. Sand cut edges smooth.
6. Rest shelf on top of brackets. You can use shelf pins on the brackets for easier adjustment.

For heavy duty storage, using robust metal brackets anchored securely into wall studs provides excellent load-bearing capacity.

Installing shelf track

Track shelving systems feature vertical tracks fastened inside the cabinet for adjustable shelves to slide into:

1. Measure and mark the desired track location on side walls. Check for obstructions like pipes or electrical.
2. Hold track aligned at marks, use a level, and mark holes. Drill pilot holes if needed.
3. Fasten track to wall by driving screws into holes. Ensure tracks are level and aligned.
4. Clean inside track channels so shelves slide freely. Lubricate with silicone spray if needed.
5. Cut shelves to length. Rest shelves in tracks and adjust to desired height.
6. Install shelf retainer clips or pins if included with system to hold shelves in place.

Track systems allow completely customizable shelving. But they require precise installation for proper shelf fit and slide.

Tips for proper shelf installation

Follow these tips for a successful shelf project:

• Carefully measure your cabinet and shelf dimensions. Inaccurate sizing can lead to unstable or ill-fitting shelves.
• Use a level to ensure your shelf supports or tracks are properly aligned. Shelves should be level for proper function.
• Anchor into studs whenever possible for maximum strength and weight capacity.
• Use appropriate fasteners for your cabinet material. Self-tapping screws work for metal cabinets. Wood screws with pilot holes are better for wood cabinets.
• Check that shelves are level and securely supported once installed. Do not overload shelves with excess weight.

Proper planning, carefully following steps, and using sturdy hardware will result in quality shelf installations that endure.

Conclusion

Installing additional shelves in your kitchen cabinets is an easy DIY project to maximize your storage potential. With some basic tools and materials, you can add shelves mounted directly on fasteners, adjustable shelf pins, sturdy brackets, or shelf track systems. Follow the detailed steps carefully for proper installation. Added shelves provide the perfect space for organizing dishes, appliances, cookbooks, and everything else needed in a functional kitchen. With a little strategic planning and elbow grease, you can increase your cabinet capacity and have a more organized, clutter-free kitchen.